2020 Election Profile: Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, RI House District 5

Monday, October 05, 2020

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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Marcia Ranglin-Vassell

Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is running for reelection in House District 5 (Providence). 

Read what she has to say about why she is running for office.

This is part of an ongoing series by GoLocal featuring each of the candidates for House and Senate.

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1.  What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island? 

I think that the 2021 Budget is by far the biggest political issue in this campaign season. Our budget is a Values Document and so we must put our money where our mouth is. Our state has been hit hard by COVID-19, we have reached and surpassed a sad, devastating and grim milestone with fatalities over 1000. My love and prayers to the children, families, constituents and friends who have lost loved ones.

This budget must consider data presented by the Department of Health. The mostly Black and Brown people working on the frontlines of this unspeakable crisis must be protected. Nursing homes resident and staff must never be forgotten even long after this pandemic is over.

To add to the biggest issue, I will include my priorities this legislative session (1) Fight for a $15 Living Wage (2) Ending gun violence (3) Access to Doulas (4) Access to high speed internet.

Our budget must also reflect our empathy for every marginalized group in our state. Our budget must account for robust investment in education infrastructure and small businesses which is the lifeblood of our economy. This is our moment Rhode Island, Carpe Diem.

2.  What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?

We need greater and intentional robust investment in small businesses. COVID-19 had created havoc on our economy. The impact to small businesses as well as marginalized communities have been impacted the most. Although, we have been moving swiftly with COVID Relief/ Cares Act Funding to help small businesses, sadly some may not be able to survive this pandemic. That is a tragedy since small businesses employ more people than large corporations. When small businesses thrive, our community thrive, and our families thrive. Supporting and investing in small businesses have a direct impact on our economy. We need to get folks back to work safely, and for that we need a stronger small business community so there needs to be better investments so businesses can survive and grow.

3.  What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state? 

Rhode Island is a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. I am happy to live in state where we are able to acknowledge our problems and seek to solve them collaboratively. Rhode Islanders are a strong people, and we will rise above our challenges, great and small. However, in my opinion, our greatest challenge right now is having the will, the courage and the fortitude to deliver a budget that acknowledges the hurt and the pain our citizens are experiencing, especially our marginalized communities.

We must address Climate Change and work to address environmental injustice. We must restore our economy in such a way that all of our families grow and thrive. We must disrupt and dismantle institutional racism; structural poverty and we must end gun violence once and for all. We must build from the bottom up while ensuring that our most vulnerable families are fully supported.

4.  Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?  

I am running for office because I want to continue the work of justice and equity that my constituents elected me to do. I am uniquely qualified because of my skills, knowledge, empathy, and compassion. I am honored and grateful that my constituents entrusted me to be their voice in the General Assembly for two terms. I do not take their support for granted. I promise that I will continue to be their greatest advocate, working to sponsor, co-sponsor, support and vote on bills that improve all of our lives.

I have been in public service for the last 45 years. My first act of fighting for justice was when I was 15 years old. I demonstrated in the streets asking government to provide running water for poor families, including my own. I am a mother, wife, grandmother, caregiver, teacher, and fighter. I grew up in poverty and gun violence and know the essentials of what is needed to lift children and families out of poverty to sustainability.

I am uniquely qualified because of my lived experiences and because I am in the trenches every single day, whether walking in my neighborhood and listening to my neighbors or teaching at E-Cubed Academy.

5.  Who is your inspiration?  

My parents, Eric and Mavis Ranglin. Mom was forced to leave school in the 6th grade to become a domestic helper. She lost dad when she was 56, yet she was able to, with some support from her family support her nine children by selling fruits and vegetables. Her work, resilience and tenacity got me where I am today. Mom came to Rhode Island at age 58, worked at Cardi’s Nursing Home as a laundry attendant, saved her money so she could sponsor my siblings and I to this country. I am grateful to mom, who despite recent medical challenges remains my greatest inspiration, role model, campaign advisor and inspiration.

Dad did not know how to read or to write but he knew the value of education. In 1963, and under a tarp adjoining our two-room board house, he started a Preschool and a church. He would bring homeless people to our house so they could be safe. They would sleep on our floor because there was no room on the full-size bed, I shared with my 8 siblings. My father’s motto is “I have never met a stranger.” I honor my parents with my work.

Bio:

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is a Progressive Democrat. She was first elected in November 2016 and represents House District 5. Currently, she serves on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Rep. Ranglin-Vassell is a one of the strongest voices and leading advocate for a $15 Living Wage, Access to Doulas, the fight to end Gun Violence and the dismantling of the school to prison pipeline. Her body of work is expansive and centers on the intersectionality of race, gender, education and socio-economic status. She believes strongly that everyone should have access to the same opportunities in education and employment and an overall quality of life regardless of zip code. As someone who understands deeply the impact of poverty, she is unapologetic in her fight for underserved and marginalized communities. Rep. Ranglin-Vassell continues to advance and participate uncomfortable conversations about race relations, implicit bias, and microaggressions as well as the trauma for Black and Brown people as a result of institutional racism and structural poverty.

Rep. Ranglin-Vassell has fought relentlessly over the years to secure her legislative priorities which include a $15 Living Wage, ending gun violence, dismantling the school to prison pipeline as well as making Doulas reimbursements available through Medicaid and private insurance.

 

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